Frameworks follow the MECE rule

I came across the concept MECE (Mutually Exclusive and Collectively Exhastive), first put forward by McKinsey's, and it stuck out as an excellent principle to apply repeatedly as I look at proposed solutions. I realise that it is largely a common sense principle and, certainly analytical thinkers, will apply this rule by nature. However, thankfully, not everyone works in the same way and this MECE concept will help me to explain to people how I'm approaching their solution.

If things are not mutually exclusive, then there is overlap. Overlap means muddled thinking and will result in confusion. Collectively exhaustive is more problematic to me as a simple phrase; it needs context - a scope.

Clearly the term does not mean to exhaustively cover everything. Therefore, it must also be intentionally non-exhaustive; in other words, the areas that are not covered are intentionally excluded. It's the same as saying define what's in and what's out and then ensure the solution is exhaustive within the domain.

When we developed our Framework (loosely based on TOGAF) for EA, we took a logical view of the technology areas and were not constrained by the organisational structure or skill sets of people. As a result we achieved the mutually exclusive goal. The starting point in TOGAF pretty much set us up to be exhaustive, although the Framework is not defined to the same depth in all areas. The evolution of the Framework means this will improve over time.

It's just a word, but a significant one

I get a lot of people talking to me about things that are 'strategic' and it's very clear that they don't mean the same thing I mean when I use the word. Actually there is a similar disconnect with the word tactical too. So what do people mean when they say strategic:

1. Long term: this is something that's going to be around for a long time.
2. Paradigm shift: something that's completely different to the current solution.
3. Big: it's a large bit of work, or taking a larger (more general perhaps) view.
4. Important: something important... but to whom?

The word Strategic comes from the Greek word stratēgos meaning general. From answers.com the following definition:

adj. Important or essential in relation to a plan of action; Highly important to an intended objective

So I've started to challenge people when they use the word to clarify what they mean. Here's what I mean when I use it, and then I'm going to stop using it if I can...

I mean it is significant, or a course of action that is for the long term and perhaps difficult/expensive to undo; and by long term, intended as a platform for further development (something that could therefore include a licence to increase its significance over time).

Conversely I use tactical to mean something that is certainly not significant and can be replaced at any time and certainly cannot be used as a platform.

So I'm going to adopt the word significant in preference to strategic and see if that brings clarity to my conversations.

Casewise Maximise event

I'll be at the Casewise Maximise event in London on Wednesday.

People who have time...

...and people who don't...

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At-Last-ian

I've used Confluence and Socialtext and the experience couldn't have been more different. Admittedly the version of Socialtext was an old one. The thing that really differentiates the two is the platform support. Socialtext (a year ago) ran on such a limited infrastructure and hardly a corporate one that I wondered how it had the label enterprise wiki. Confluence, on the other hand, runs on almost anything - well it's Java-based.

However, I have to agree with Mayfield - it's about time Atlassian did this integration. At least it addresses the poor wiki offering MS put into Sharepoint native.

The Newsgator integration is interesting too. Having now enabled the use of RSS internally (deployed a reader, started developing feed sources in Intranet and internal apps) this central management of feeds with community/emergent benefits is the next obvious step.

» Atlassian, NewsGator hook into SharePoint | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com

Update: Socialtext CEO Ross Mayfield points out that his company launched SocialPoint a year ago, which integrates his wiki platform with SharePoint. He congratulates Atlassian and NewsGator on their SharePoint integration.

Patterns for adoping open source

I'm not sure if I've blogged this before, but the conventional wisdom for adoption of open source is that whilst the software may be free, the skills requirement is higher. One way to consider the open source alternative is to consider the open source project on a par with internally developed solutions. This has two benefits, firstly you really engage with the solution, and secondly by engaging with the community and feeding back with your developed insights you help to improve the overall solution. If you are not able to make this level of commitment to the project then perhaps you are not ready yet to adopt an open source solution.

» Open source adoption: More rigor, less emotion | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com

In any case, companies need to consider the unintended consequences. For starters, if you use open source the chances are good that you will need more developers internally. Bottom line: More analysis will be needed as companies increasingly take the open source plunge.

Blackberry's Unite

Wondering what RIM's doing next for the enterprise. I'm not very close to developments in the Blackberry arena, but this does look appealing.

UPDATE: I've had a lot of hits on this post recently through Google searches on the term 'blackberry unite'. so I looked into it. Scratching the surface this product isn't for large enterprises that need or have a Blackberry Server infrastructure, this is for family or small office environments where Blackberry Smartphones will be synced directly with personal computers. Blackberry Unite is a free download desktop application to enable this sync process.

In the mean time I notice support for Lotus Sametime (the IM solution in the IBM Lotus product suite). I think this is new.

» RIM: Unite, enterprise, prosumer market all promising | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com

Unite will be a free PC download that will allow groups of up to five users with mobile access to share calendars, pictures, music and documents via BlackBerry devices. The users in this Unite group will be able to modify appointments and availability as well as send reminders.